Before the Doors Opened

Li Wen stood quietly in her new boutique in Singapore, letting the hum of the air-conditioner fill the early morning silence. The space still carried that crisp scent of fresh paint and newly unpacked furniture. Racks were neatly arranged, every dress steamed to perfection, and the signboard outside gleamed proudly under the soft sun. Today was opening day that she had imagined for years. But before the first customer even stepped in, something else caught her eye.
Near the entrance sat a stunning grand opening flower box. Navy blue roses rose elegantly from the arrangement, surrounded by soft white blooms, delicate feathers, and a charming lucky cat smiling from the centre. A clear balloon floated above, tied with deep blue ribbons, carrying golden Chinese characters wishing her success, smooth beginnings, and endless prosperity. For a moment, Li Wen simply stared at it.
Then she reached for the card tucked gently beneath the ribbons and her heartbeat softened.
It was from Jia Hao, her childhood friend the one who stood by her long before she knew how to stand on her own. She brushed her fingers lightly across the blue roses. Their colour reminded her of countless nights when Jia Hao stayed on video call with her just so she wouldn’t feel alone while creating her business plan. Even when she doubted every decision she made, he always said the same reassuring sentence: “Don’t worry, Li Wen. Just try. I know you can.”
The soft white flowers brought back memories of her mother. For months, her mother brought warm food to her tiny rental room where Li Wen worked into the early morning. “Don’t skip meals,” she would nag lovingly. “You need energy to chase dreams.” Those meals meant more than food. They were reminders that someone believed in her enough to support her quietly, without expecting anything in return.
Then her eyes landed on the lucky cat. That made her smile. Her grandmother used to place one at their front door every Lunar New Year. “This little cat,” she would say, tapping its head, “makes fortune lazy. It will follow you because it has no choice.” Li Wen lost her grandmother a few years ago, but seeing the lucky cat now felt like a tiny blessing sent across time.
She stood there holding the arrangement, absorbing every memory and every emotion tied to it. Opening a boutique in Singapore’s competitive retail scene wasn’t easy. She had faced delays, setbacks, and more self-doubt than she liked to admit. But every step of the way, someone had helped her even in ways she didn’t notice at the time.
This flower box wasn’t just a gift. It’s a story of support of friendship, family and kindness that carried her quietly until she could stand strong on her own.
Li Wen gently straightened the blue ribbon and placed the box near the entrance. As sunlight hit the balloon, the golden characters gleamed warmly.
Before her boutique welcomed its first customer, she realised something deeply comforting: Gratitude had already filled the room.